Discover how SAP BTP supports digital transformation. Learn its key features, business benefits, real-world use cases, and how to get started.
An ROI of 514% in over three years. That’s the figure SAP reports for companies using SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), a single tool that claims to connect processes, data, and applications across all your SAP and non-SAP systems. How can it deliver numbers like that?
This article breaks down what SAP BTP is, how it works, and where it fits into the SAP landscape. We’ll look at its core capabilities, the problems it addresses, and the use cases that typically apply it.
Most importantly, we’ll explain how these actions translate into actual business value, measured in time, cost, and faster decision-making.
Understanding the Basics of SAP BTP
SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) is SAP’s unified offering for application development, system integration, data management, and analytics. It brings together tools and services that allow businesses to build, customize, and connect applications across SAP and non-SAP environments. This includes cloud and on-premise systems, legacy software, third-party tools, and emerging technologies like AI and machine learning.
Instead of working with separate platforms for data, development, and automation — or cloud providers without native SAP support — SAP BTP gives companies one environment to manage them all. It offers ready-to-use services for app extensions, API-based integration, real-time analytics, and secure data storage.
The goal is simple: reduce complexity and speed up delivery without losing control over business logic, compliance, or performance.
The Pillars of SAP BTP
SAP BTP is structured around five core pillars. Each one represents a functional area that contributes to the platform’s ability to support enterprise development, integration, and data-driven processes.
Here’s a closer look at what each one includes:
Application development
SAP BTP provides tools and environments for building, extending, and customizing enterprise applications. This includes support for low-code/no-code development with SAP Build, as well as full-code development using SAP Business Application Studio and other IDEs.
Applications can run natively on SAP BTP or be deployed to external environments, with access to integrated services like authentication, lifecycle management, and multi-cloud deployment. The platform supports event-driven architecture and reusable business services for faster development across systems.
Automation
The automation pillar focuses on replacing repetitive, manual processes with digital workflows and bots. SAP Build Process Automation enables users to design, manage, and monitor business processes using a visual interface that combines workflow automation with robotic process automation (RPA).
It helps reduce errors, speed up routine operations, and ensure that business rules are followed consistently, all without relying on custom code for every scenario.
Integration
SAP Integration Suite is part of the BTP stack and enables secure, real-time integration between SAP and non-SAP systems. It includes pre-built connectors, APIs, event mesh services, and tools for mapping and orchestrating data flows.
The goal is to unify applications across hybrid landscapes, including cloud, on-premise, and legacy systems, with consistent performance and governance. Integration flows can be managed centrally and monitored through dashboards.
Data & analytics
This pillar focuses on data storage, processing, and analysis. SAP BTP includes SAP HANA Cloud, SAP Datasphere, and other tools that allow businesses to collect, transform, and model data from multiple sources. Built-in analytics services support real-time dashboards, embedded analytics, and advanced reporting.
This enables users to make decisions based on up-to-date, unified data without extracting it from core systems.
Artificial intelligence (AI)
SAP BTP provides a framework for embedding AI and machine learning into business applications. This includes pre-trained models, industry-specific AI services, and tools for building custom models using SAP AI Core and AI Launchpad.
AI can be applied to tasks like document processing, forecasting, fraud detection, and intelligent recommendations. The AI services are designed to integrate seamlessly with workflows and applications already running on SAP BTP.
How SAP BTP Contributes to Business Transformation
Before diving into specific examples, it's worth understanding why so many organizations choose SAP Business Technology Platform as part of their digital strategy.
These advantages create long-term value across business units and IT, regardless of whether the company is migrating to S/4HANA, modernizing its legacy ERP, or simply trying to innovate without adding more load to their development teams.
Streamlining IT complexity
As companies grow, so do their systems 一 often in disconnected, inconsistent ways. SAP BTP helps simplify these landscapes by offering unified services for integration, data, analytics, and application development.
This reduces duplication, makes processes easier to manage, and keeps architecture clean and scalable. It’s particularly useful for businesses dealing with fragmented systems after mergers or acquisitions.
Accelerating innovation at scale
Innovation tends to slow down when every new idea requires custom development, long IT queues, or risky changes to the core system. With SAP BTP, companies can build, test, and launch new solutions faster, using prebuilt components, low-code tools, and reusable services.
This allows teams to move from idea to pilot to production, without waiting months for approvals or resources.
Making better use of business data
Data is only valuable when it's accessible, accurate, and actionable. SAP BTP centralizes data services and analytics, making it easier for both technical and business users to work with real-time information.
Whether it’s financial reporting, supply chain monitoring, or customer insights, better data access leads to better decisions, without exporting spreadsheets or manually synchronizing systems.
Keeping the ERP core clean
Direct modifications to the ERP system create long-term risk: they make upgrades harder and often turn into expensive maintenance. To reduce that risk, BTP offers tools for building side-by-side extensions that don't interfere with the core, allowing companies to develop what they need while staying compliant with SAP’s clean core strategy. This reduces technical debt and makes future updates far less painful.
Reducing operational and development costs
SAP BTP helps organizations get more done with fewer resources, whether it's through automation, self-service tools, or reusable code. IT teams spend less time on repetitive tasks, business users can build their own solutions, and maintenance becomes more predictable.
Over time, this reduces both direct costs and the hidden expenses that come from slow processes and outdated systems.
SAP BTP in Action: How it Helps Organizations Move to SAP Cloud ERP and SAP Business Suite
SAP BTP addresses many of the challenges companies face when modernizing their ERP landscape, especially during transitions to SAP cloud ERP.
The examples below, shared by SAP, show how BTP capabilities deliver measurable value across integration, automation, customization, and innovation. While drawn from ERP migration use cases, these same capabilities are applicable in other enterprise transformation projects.
1. Reducing integration costs and eliminating silos
Disparate systems and fragmented data landscapes increase IT complexity and reduce business agility. SAP Integration Suite, part of SAP BTP, provides a unified way to connect SAP and non-SAP applications — both in the cloud and on-premise.
SAP shares the example of CONA Services, a bottling company that used SAP Integration Suite to connect multiple SAP and third-party systems. The company reduced its runtime costs by more than 50%.
These integration capabilities support not only ERP migration, but also enable seamless business processes across supply chain, finance, and customer service platforms.
2. Accelerating data migration and improving quality assurance
ERP migration often involves consolidating data from multiple legacy systems — a complex process that can introduce risk. SAP BTP includes tools that help teams validate, transform, and test data more efficiently.
SAP cites Heineken, which used SAP application testing solutions to optimize its quality assurance processes. The result:
- 80% shorter test execution times
- 170 hours saved per month
- 213,000 test steps created
These tools also support continuous testing and change impact analysis in evolving environments.
3. Avoiding risky customizations and enabling clean extensions
Customizations embedded directly into ERP systems can block updates and create long-term technical debt. SAP BTP supports side-by-side development that keeps the ERP core clean while enabling necessary extensions.
According to SAP, a Japanese manufacturing company reduced its customization footprint by 94% and accelerated system updates 18× by shifting to SAP BTP-based development.
While individual results depend on implementation scope and the legacy environment, this case demonstrates how BTP can significantly improve agility compared to traditional ERP customization. This approach makes it easier to adopt innovations, reduce maintenance overhead, and stay aligned with SAP’s clean core strategy.
4. Automating repetitive, high-volume processes
Many organizations still rely on manual processes to handle tasks like invoice processing, document matching, or data entry. SAP BTP combines automation tools and AI services to help companies streamline these workflows.
SAP shares the example of De Agostini, a consumer products company that used SAP Build Process Automation and AI services on BTP to automate its vendor invoice processing. The result:
- 91% of PO-based invoices processed automatically
- ~500 hours saved per month
Similar approaches can be used in HR, finance, procurement, and other high-volume business functions.
5. Enabling business-led innovation with low-code tools
When business users can develop their own tools, companies gain flexibility and reduce pressure on central IT. SAP BTP supports this through low-code environments, prebuilt templates, and seamless integration with enterprise systems.
SAP reports that thyssenkrupp AG enabled its HR teams to build their own recruitment apps using SAP Build Apps, achieving:
- 10× faster app development
- 100 teams using the tool globally
These capabilities support innovation at scale, without compromising on governance or system integrity.
How to Start With SAP BTP
Adopting SAP BTP doesn’t have to be a massive leap. SAP offers flexible pricing options and multiple entry points that make it easier for companies to start small, test ideas, and scale based on actual business needs. Here is everything you need to know beforehand.
Licensing and pricing model
SAP BTP supports different pricing models, so companies can choose what fits their budget, usage level, and growth plans. Whether you're experimenting with prototypes or rolling out full-scale deployments, there’s a model to support each phase.
Other things to consider
Before diving in, it's worth understanding a few practical points:
- BTP is primarily cloud-based: SAP BTP is designed as a cloud-native platform and runs on hyperscalers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. You can choose your preferred provider and region based on your compliance or infrastructure requirements. However, the solution can be deployed to external environments or integrated with on-premise systems through hybrid models.
- Multi-environment support: BTP supports both Neo and Cloud Foundry environments. With Neo supported only until the end of 2028, most new development now occurs in Cloud Foundry. For companies already using SAP's older PaaS offerings, migration options and hybrid use cases are available.
- Service planning matters: Because BTP includes a wide range of services, such as integration and automation to AI, data management, and analytics, it’s important to assess which services you’ll actually need. Starting with a clear use case helps avoid unnecessary complexity and cost.
- Account and subaccount structure: Properly setting up global accounts, subaccounts, and entitlements in the BTP cockpit is essential for a clean governance model. This ensures the right people have access to the right services, in the right landscape, without creating a mess from day one.
Your Trusted SAP BTP Partner
Getting started with SAP BTP is more than just picking a pricing model or enabling a few services. It’s about shaping a strategy that fits your landscape, your priorities, and your team’s capacity to move forward without disruptions.
At LeverX, we’ve supported over 200 SAP BTP projects, from small pilots to full-scale rollouts, helping companies build what they actually need, not just what looks good on paper. We work closely with clients to map out use cases, set up clean environments, and guide implementation to make sure BTP starts delivering value as soon as possible.
Want help with planning, implementation, or just figuring out if BTP makes sense for your scenario? Book a free consultation with our experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of businesses benefit most from SAP BTP?
SAP BTP is designed to support companies of all sizes, from fast-scaling startups to large global enterprises. Its flexibility allows organizations across industries, such as manufacturing, retail, finance, public sector, life sciences, and many others, to connect systems, automate processes, and gain insights from their data.
Whether you're looking to modernize legacy infrastructure or build cloud-native solutions, SAP BTP adapts to your business model and goals.
How does SAP BTP compare to other cloud platforms like AWS or Azure?
SAP BTP complements hyperscalers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud by providing business-centric capabilities developed for enterprise processes. While hyperscalers offer general-purpose cloud infrastructure, BTP (based on Hyperscalers) adds value through pre-integrated tools for SAP systems, ready-to-use business services, pre-packaged business automations or integrations, low-code development, and embedded AI, all saving integration and adoption efforts.
In fact, many customers run BTP on top of their existing hyperscaler environments.
Do I need to migrate my entire infrastructure to use SAP BTP?
No. SAP BTP is designed to work in hybrid environments. You can adopt it incrementally, starting with a specific use case or extension, while keeping your core systems on-premise or on another cloud. This modular approach allows companies to quickly realize value without disrupting existing infrastructure.
Is SAP BTP suitable for businesses that are not fully on SAP S/4HANA yet?
Absolutely. You can use SAP BTP regardless of whether you’ve migrated to S/4HANA. It integrates with both SAP and non-SAP systems, enabling digital transformation even before a full S/4HANA transition. BTP also helps prepare for such a move by simplifying integration, analytics, and custom development.
A key advantage of SAP BTP is that you can innovate now, even on your current SAP ECC system. When you decide to move to S/4HANA, the applications and integrations you've built on BTP are preserved. The primary effort then becomes updating the connectivity to the new system, which significantly de-risks your migration and protects your investment.
Can SAP BTP help us if we already have a complex landscape that includes many third-party tools?
Yes. One of SAP BTP's strengths is its ability to integrate with both SAP and third-party systems. BTP is, in a nutshell, a Cloud platform. All services within BTP use industry-standard connectors for cloud implementation and come with solutions for on-premise connectivity for third-party landscapes. It includes prebuilt connectors, open APIs, and support for common data exchange standards, which help you simplify, standardize, and unify your IT landscape without ripping out and replacing your current tools.
